Sheringham Park and Wells Next The Sea
This years Garden Photographer of the Year was being displayed at Sheringham Park in Norfolk. So, a trip to Norfolk was planned and an overnight stop to enable us to visit Titchwell Nature Reserve while we were in the area.
We chose Wells Next The Sea for our overnight stop and stayed at a pleasant B&B, although our room was tiny!
Our first destination was Sheringham Park which was housing the Photographic competition winners.
Having found the outdoor display, we spent some time looking over the images, as it very useful to see what appeals to the judges. There were some beautiful images, and some I wondered `how did that get in` - but generally, a great set of images.
Then a walk around a small part of the Sheringham Park until we reached the Temple. The park surrounds Sheringham Hall which is privately occupied, but Sheringham Park is in the care of the National Trust and open to visitors.
The park was designed by Humphry Repton (1752-1818). He described Sheringham as his "favourite and darling child in Norfolk". Abbot and Charlotte Upcher bought the estate in 1811, and successive generations of the Upcher family did much to develop the estate, the hall and the park.
There are fine mature woodlands and a large variety of rhododendrons and azaleas. In the early 20th century, Henry Morris Upcher obtained rhododendron seeds of various types from plantsman Ernest "Chinese" Wilson. Plants from this source which can found at the garden include Rhododendron ambiguum, calophytum and decorum, among others. Many other species of tree and shrub are represented in the garden,including fifteen kinds of magnolia, large specimen pieris. Among the other trees are maples, acers, styrax, eucryphia, pocket handkerchief tree davidia involucrata and a fine example of the snowdrop tree. Several overlook towers provide good views over the gardens, and of the nearby coast and surrounding countryside. A garden temple (above) was constructed in the Park in 1975.
Designed by Repton, but not built until over 160 years later. The temple was opened in 1975 to celebrate the 70th birthday of Mr Thomas Upcher, the last of his family to live in the Hall. Although built in a slightly different position than planned by Repton, the temple still provides a view as intended overlooking the parkland with the yellow gorse in flower, taking in Sheringham Hall and the coast beyond.
We did not have time to walk much of the park, and perhaps a visit when the rhododendrons are in bloom would be a better idea. We did see some interesting tree shapes and types. A re-visit is in order I think.
A trip to the town of Sheringham for dinner, and a short wander around a very touristy town, we then headed for Wells Next The Sea.
Having established where we were staying for the night, we walked down to the harbour to see many small boats dotted around a pretty harbour. A pleasant waterfront we thought.
Then we were treated to the sight of fishing boats maneuvering to the quay side and unloading their catch. It was like watching a military maneuver! Such precision.
On the quay side the vans were waiting to transport the catch away to markets far and wide.
There was the usual sailing ship cum restaurant which seem popular on quayside around the country today.
A reasonable sleep and good breakfast later, and we were on our way. First stopping in the quay side for some photos. Wells has an Heritage Art Trail for 2018 to celebrate the opening of the Wells Maltings. Last night, in the gloom, we spotted the horse but this morning its high tide - never mind. Had one image!
Ten oars called `Progress` and symbolising the ever changing colours of the harbour and salt marshes. Again, light not good, but at least a record of our harbour wander.
A pretty place, but I can imagine, very busy in summer time.
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